Rest Day/Theory

How much does sleep affect your athletic performance? Martin Rawls-Meehan explains the science behind getting enough rest.

How much do you think about how well you sleep? How important do you think sleep is to your CrossFit performance? What about your general health?

If you’re like most, you probably don’t think much about how well you sleep. All know they feel better when they sleep more, so… Continue Reading

Mike Brown is using his CrossFit work ethic and business philosophy in a campaign to win a seat in the Iowa Statehouse. Hilary Achauer reports.

Mike Brown starts every weekday before the sun is up, heading over to CrossFit Des Moines to coach the 5:30 a.m. class. After teaching classes for a few hours, Brown throws on a sportcoat and a tie and spends the rest of the day shaking hands, meeting with advisors or—his… Continue Reading

Dr. Ken Gall examines the thermodynamics of CrossFit and asks 10 questions worth considering.

While I was an undergraduate research assistant, one of the graduate students in my lab wanted to show me a “thing on the computer” that you could use to “look up information.” I took a look at it, reluctantly, because this guy was always wasting my time with annoying things such as balloon animals and ballroom dancing.

When he showed me… Continue Reading

Swedish CrossFit trainer John Hermiz says to get mentally tougher, you have to stick to your plan—in or out of the gym.

My first encounter with CrossFit was about two years ago. It was dramatic, ugly and changed my naive self-image of being in shape.

Soon after the workout started, I was in complete shock. My heart was racing. I thought, “What the hell is happening?” and “I can’t finish this workout.” I… Continue Reading

E.M. Burton examines domestic manufacturing in post-industrial America.

I played a small part today in creating an American job. I donated $5 at my local Starbucks to their Create Jobs for USA program. They estimate that once 599 other people make the same donation, one job will be created.

A small contribution, granted, but it felt pretty good; the Opportunity Finance Network administers the fund to provide… Continue Reading

Happy holidays to everyone from the staff of the CrossFit Journal… Continue Reading

Andréa Maria Cecil advises you prepare for the Zombie Apocalypse not just with weapons, but with fit people.

Forget the word “zombie.” It’s a loaded term. Next, think “infectious disease.” Better yet: “pandemic.”

The condition spreads rapidly, has no known cure and affects humans in such a way that they no longer behave as such. Their minds and bodies become controlled by the disease. And what diseases want most is the same as every other living thing: To survive… Continue Reading

Brian MacKenzie and Anthony Roberts explain the origins of the maximum heart rate number and why it so often tells us so little.

Ever seen this formula?

220 - age = MHR

It’s the standard formula for determining maximum heart rate, or MHR. Subtracting your age from 220 represents the highest heart rate one can safely achieve through exercise stress. This formula tells us a 15-year-old has a… Continue Reading